Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts
International Teacher Recruitment for Schools in England
Experienced, qualified teachers from overseas for your hardest-to-fill secondary vacancies.
We help schools and Multi-Academy Trusts recruit teachers from overseas, with a focus on Maths, the sciences, Computing, Modern Foreign Languages and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. You tell us what you need. We find and vet candidates, and you make every hiring decision.
The Challenge
When the UK pool runs dry
Some vacancies stay open for a term, or a year. You advertise, you re-advertise, and the applications don’t come. Classes get covered by supply staff or non-specialists, and the teachers you already have pick up the slack.
International recruitment gives you another route. Our teachers are qualified, have taught in other systems, and want to work in England. We take on the sourcing and screening so your team can focus on interviewing and choosing.
Our Teachers
Qualified, experienced secondary teachers, ready for the sponsorship process
Our teachers come from:
Subjects we recruit for
We can also help with English, Humanities, Design and Technology and other subjects.
How We Vet Every Teacher
Five checks before you see a CV
Every teacher goes through the same process before we put them forward.
Check 01
Qualifications and experience
We review every CV to confirm the right qualifications and relevant classroom experience.
Check 02
Degree and teaching qualification checks
We verify each teacher’s degree, certificates, teacher registration, teaching credentials and full employment history.
Check 03
Identity
We collect and verify a valid passport for every candidate.
Check 04
English language
We check each candidate’s English language evidence against the Skilled Worker requirement (CEFR B2). Nationals of some countries, including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and the USA, are exempt.
Check 05
References and documentation
We collect references and help candidates gather the documents needed for appointment and sponsorship.
Only teachers who complete every step are put forward for a role.
How It Works
From first call to a teacher in your classroom
Tell us what you need
Subject, key stage, location, start date and how many teachers.
We search for candidates
We match vetted candidates to your vacancy and to the visa requirements.
You review a shortlist
You get profiles showing the qualifications and experience that matter for your school.
You interview and decide
Your school runs its own interviews and makes the final decision. We schedule interviews and help candidates prepare.
We coordinate the next steps
We work with you and the teacher on the information needed for employment and sponsorship. Your school or trust, as the sponsor, assigns the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Your teacher joins your school
Once the appointment, sponsorship and pre-employment checks are complete, the teacher starts.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding and safer recruitment
Every appointment must meet Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and your own safer recruitment policy.
The statutory pre-appointment checks stay with the employing school or trust. These include the enhanced DBS check, the Teaching Regulation Agency prohibition check and the right to work check. We pass you each candidate’s documentation in an organised file so your recruitment lead can complete them quickly.
Visa, Sponsorship and QTS
What you need to know before you start
Visas
Most overseas teachers need a visa to work in England, and many come on the Skilled Worker route. To sponsor a teacher, your school or trust needs a valid sponsor licence, a role that meets the Home Office skill and salary requirements, and a Certificate of Sponsorship. The candidate must meet the route’s requirements too, including English language. We check the current rules with you at the start of every placement, because they change.
Our role
We coordinate the information we need from you and the candidate. The employer remains responsible for its sponsorship duties. We aren’t immigration advisers. Where advice is needed, we refer you to an adviser regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) or to a solicitor.
QTS
Qualified Teacher Status is separate from visa permission. Academies and free schools have flexibility on QTS. Maintained schools can employ overseas-trained teachers without QTS for up to four years, and teachers can apply for QTS during that time. We check the position for every candidate and every role before an offer is made.
Why Partner With Us
Why schools and trusts work with us
A vetted pool of teachers
Every teacher is vetted before you see them, so we can respond quickly when you need a specialist.
Straight answers
If a vacancy isn’t a good fit for international recruitment, we’ll say so.
A fee that’s easy to understand
You pay our placement fee only once the teacher starts work at your school, in line with the terms agreed with English Quest. We do not charge teachers recruitment or placement fees.
Since 2020
How English Quest started
English Quest began in 2020, when the pandemic sent demand for online English tutors through the roof. We supplied ESL teachers to schools and tutoring agencies that were struggling to keep up.
When classrooms reopened, we kept going. We moved into placing teachers in person, first in ESL and then in STEM and Special Education as demand grew.
Who’s Behind English Quest
The people behind English Quest
Jamie Martin
Co-Founder
Former Chief of Staff to the UK Education Secretary, a BCG consultant in its global education practice, and a two-time education founder in South Africa and the UK.
Sandeep Mallareddy
Co-Founder
Former Teach For India teacher, senior executive at the world’s largest school chain, and adviser to education projects across India, Africa and the Middle East.
For Schools and Trusts
Questions you’re probably asking
Who employs the teacher?
Your school or trust does, on your standard terms and conditions. We source and vet the teacher and help coordinate the appointment.
Who handles sponsorship?
You do, as the employer. Your school or trust needs a sponsor licence and assigns the Certificate of Sponsorship. We coordinate the information and documents with you and the candidate throughout.
Does the teacher need QTS?
It depends on the type of school and the teacher’s training. We check this for each candidate and role before you make an offer.
Who carries out the safeguarding checks?
The statutory checks, including DBS and the TRA prohibition check, are the school’s responsibility. We pass you the candidate’s documentation in an organised file.
How much does it cost?
You pay a placement fee once the teacher starts. We’ll go through the figures on a call once we know the role.
Do you charge teachers?
No. We do not charge teachers recruitment or placement fees.
Can we interview candidates ourselves?
Yes. You run your own interviews and make the final decision.
Can we ask for a specific subject or key stage?
Yes. We match candidates to the subject, key stage and location you specify.
How early should we start?
As early as you can. Sponsorship, visa processing and notice periods all take time.
Get in Touch
Ready to fill your vacancy?
Whether you have one hard-to-fill post or vacancies across a Multi-Academy Trust, tell us the subjects, the start date and the experience you need. We’ll tell you honestly whether international recruitment is a good option for you.
Book a Free CallPrefer email? jamie@theenglishquest.com